Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - Offers a portable, affordable POS system with payment processing, inventory tracking, and offline capabilities ideal for food trucks.
- 2#2: Toast - Provides a cloud-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and analytics tailored for food truck operations.
- 3#3: Revel Systems - Delivers an iPad-centric POS solution with offline mode, inventory management, and loyalty programs suited for mobile food trucks.
- 4#4: Clover - Supplies flexible hardware and software POS with customizable apps for payments, inventory, and quick service in food trucks.
- 5#5: Lightspeed Restaurant - Features a robust POS platform with multi-location support, inventory control, and online ordering for food truck businesses.
- 6#6: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS system offering table management, reporting, and integrations perfect for quick-service food trucks.
- 7#7: Lavu - Cloud POS designed for restaurants and food trucks with real-time sales tracking, menu management, and employee scheduling.
- 8#8: SpotOn - Comprehensive POS with loyalty rewards, delivery integrations, and contactless payments optimized for food trucks.
- 9#9: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app with inventory, sales analytics, and customer loyalty tools for small food truck operations.
- 10#10: Epos Now - Versatile POS system with cloud reporting, e-commerce integration, and hardware options for mobile hospitality like food trucks.
We ranked these tools based on key factors like adaptability to on-the-go use, strength of inventory tracking, ease of navigation, and overall value, ensuring they deliver both performance and practicality for food truck operations.
Comparison Table
For food truck operators, selecting reliable POS software is critical for streamlining operations, managing orders, and enhancing customer experiences. This comparison table details top tools including Square, Toast, Revel Systems, Clover, and Lightspeed Restaurant, examining their key features, usability, and cost structures to aid in informed decision-making.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square Offers a portable, affordable POS system with payment processing, inventory tracking, and offline capabilities ideal for food trucks. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Toast Provides a cloud-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and analytics tailored for food truck operations. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 3 | Revel Systems Delivers an iPad-centric POS solution with offline mode, inventory management, and loyalty programs suited for mobile food trucks. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 4 | Clover Supplies flexible hardware and software POS with customizable apps for payments, inventory, and quick service in food trucks. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Lightspeed Restaurant Features a robust POS platform with multi-location support, inventory control, and online ordering for food truck businesses. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS system offering table management, reporting, and integrations perfect for quick-service food trucks. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Lavu Cloud POS designed for restaurants and food trucks with real-time sales tracking, menu management, and employee scheduling. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | SpotOn Comprehensive POS with loyalty rewards, delivery integrations, and contactless payments optimized for food trucks. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app with inventory, sales analytics, and customer loyalty tools for small food truck operations. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Epos Now Versatile POS system with cloud reporting, e-commerce integration, and hardware options for mobile hospitality like food trucks. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.4/10 |
Offers a portable, affordable POS system with payment processing, inventory tracking, and offline capabilities ideal for food trucks.
Provides a cloud-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and analytics tailored for food truck operations.
Delivers an iPad-centric POS solution with offline mode, inventory management, and loyalty programs suited for mobile food trucks.
Supplies flexible hardware and software POS with customizable apps for payments, inventory, and quick service in food trucks.
Features a robust POS platform with multi-location support, inventory control, and online ordering for food truck businesses.
iPad-based POS system offering table management, reporting, and integrations perfect for quick-service food trucks.
Cloud POS designed for restaurants and food trucks with real-time sales tracking, menu management, and employee scheduling.
Comprehensive POS with loyalty rewards, delivery integrations, and contactless payments optimized for food trucks.
Free mobile POS app with inventory, sales analytics, and customer loyalty tools for small food truck operations.
Versatile POS system with cloud reporting, e-commerce integration, and hardware options for mobile hospitality like food trucks.
Square
specializedOffers a portable, affordable POS system with payment processing, inventory tracking, and offline capabilities ideal for food trucks.
Offline payment processing with automatic syncing when reconnected, ensuring uninterrupted service in low-signal areas.
Square is a versatile, mobile-first POS system designed for food trucks, enabling quick payment processing via card readers, contactless options, and its intuitive app. It handles inventory tracking, order management, sales reports, and integrations with delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Food truck owners appreciate its offline capabilities, allowing sales to continue without internet and syncing later.
Pros
- No monthly software fees, only pay-per-transaction
- Highly portable with compact hardware like Square Terminal
- Offline mode and fast setup ideal for mobile operations
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can add up for high-volume sales
- Limited advanced inventory features for complex menus
- Customer support primarily self-service
Best For
Food truck owners needing a simple, affordable, and reliable mobile POS without subscription costs.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction; hardware starts at $49 for reader, $299 for Terminal.
Toast
specializedProvides a cloud-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and analytics tailored for food truck operations.
Toast Go handheld Android devices with full POS capabilities for true mobility and offline order processing
Toast is a cloud-based POS system designed for restaurants and food service businesses, including food trucks, offering mobile hardware, offline functionality, and comprehensive tools for order taking, payments, and inventory. It supports quick-service operations with handheld devices, real-time sales tracking, and integrations for delivery apps like Uber Eats. Ideal for food trucks needing scalability, it handles high-volume events while providing analytics to optimize menus and operations.
Pros
- Robust mobile hardware like Toast Go handhelds for on-the-go service
- Offline mode ensures uninterrupted operations during events
- Advanced inventory tracking and menu customization tailored for variable truck menus
Cons
- Higher pricing may strain small food truck budgets
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy owners
- Hardware bundle costs add up for mobile setups
Best For
Growing food truck operators who need scalable features, integrations, and analytics beyond basic POS needs.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per POS terminal (Pay-As-You-Go), plus 2.99% + $0.15 processing fees, hardware from $799, and custom enterprise plans.
Revel Systems
specializedDelivers an iPad-centric POS solution with offline mode, inventory management, and loyalty programs suited for mobile food trucks.
Offline transaction processing with seamless cloud sync, ensuring uninterrupted sales during spotty connectivity at events.
Revel Systems is a cloud-based, iPad-centric POS solution tailored for restaurants and food trucks, providing mobile point-of-sale capabilities with real-time inventory tracking, sales reporting, and customer management. It supports offline transactions that sync automatically upon reconnection, making it reliable for on-the-go operations like food trucks at events or markets. The system integrates with delivery apps, accounting software, and loyalty programs to streamline food truck workflows.
Pros
- Highly mobile iPad-based setup perfect for food trucks
- Robust inventory and real-time analytics
- Excellent offline mode with auto-sync
Cons
- Apple hardware requirement limits flexibility
- Higher monthly costs with add-on fees
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Food truck operators needing scalable, feature-rich POS with strong inventory and reporting for growing mobile businesses.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $99/month per location; Pro at $149/month; plus hardware (~$1,000+ for iPads) and 2.3% + $0.10 processing fees.
Clover
specializedSupplies flexible hardware and software POS with customizable apps for payments, inventory, and quick service in food trucks.
Modular handheld devices like Clover Flex for true mobility and line-busting in food truck service
Clover is a versatile, cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses like food trucks, featuring portable hardware options such as the Clover Flex and Go for on-the-go transactions. It handles payments, inventory tracking, order management, employee scheduling, and reporting with seamless integration. The extensive app marketplace allows customization for quick-service needs, including offline mode for reliability in mobile environments.
Pros
- Highly portable hardware ideal for food trucks, like handheld Clover Flex
- Vast app marketplace for custom features like kitchen display and loyalty programs
- Integrated payment processing with competitive rates and EMV/chip support
Cons
- Hardware and subscription costs can add up quickly
- Advanced features often require paid apps, increasing expenses
- Customer support can be inconsistent for smaller users
Best For
Food truck owners seeking a scalable, mobile POS with robust payment integration and customization options.
Pricing
Hardware from $499 (Clover Go) to $1,699+; software plans $14.95-$114.85/month per location; processing fees ~2.3%-3.5% + $0.10 per transaction.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseFeatures a robust POS platform with multi-location support, inventory control, and online ordering for food truck businesses.
Unified Back Office web dashboard for remote inventory, sales reporting, and employee management from any device
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system tailored for the hospitality industry, providing tools for order processing, inventory management, table service, and customer engagement. It supports iPad and Android hardware, enabling quick setup for food trucks with features like offline mode, kitchen display systems, and integrations with delivery apps such as Uber Eats. While robust for scaling operations, it offers real-time analytics and multi-location support that can benefit growing food truck businesses transitioning to permanent locations.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory and multi-location management ideal for scaling food trucks
- Strong integrations with third-party delivery and payment processors
- Mobile-friendly hardware support with offline transaction capabilities
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit small single-truck operations
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Overkill features better suited for full restaurants than basic food trucks
Best For
Food truck owners planning to expand into multiple locations or brick-and-mortar setups who need advanced reporting and integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Restaurant Basic), up to $199/month (Restaurant Enterprise), plus one-time hardware costs and transaction fees.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-based POS system offering table management, reporting, and integrations perfect for quick-service food trucks.
Robust offline mode that syncs data automatically when reconnected, ideal for unpredictable truck locations.
TouchBistro is a cloud-based iPad POS system originally designed for restaurants and bars, offering order management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and reporting tools. For food trucks, it supports mobile operations with offline mode, customizable menus, and quick payment integrations like EMV and contactless. While robust for high-volume service, it may feel feature-heavy for simpler truck setups.
Pros
- Excellent offline functionality for mobile food trucks
- Strong inventory and menu management tools
- Integrated loyalty programs to build repeat customers
Cons
- Higher pricing better suited for brick-and-mortar than solo trucks
- Overkill features like table management irrelevant for food trucks
- Requires iPad hardware and stable internet for full cloud sync
Best For
Food trucks with moderate to high volume seeking restaurant-grade POS features and scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $69 per terminal/month (billed annually), plus one-time hardware costs and processing fees; custom quotes available.
Lavu
specializedCloud POS designed for restaurants and food trucks with real-time sales tracking, menu management, and employee scheduling.
Offline transaction processing with automatic cloud sync when reconnected
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system designed primarily for restaurants, bars, and food trucks, featuring a mobile iPad app for quick order processing and payments. It includes inventory tracking, menu customization, employee management, sales reporting, and integrations with delivery services like DoorDash. The system supports offline mode for transactions in low-connectivity environments, making it viable for mobile operations like food trucks, though it's more restaurant-oriented.
Pros
- Strong offline capabilities for spotty internet
- Intuitive iOS app optimized for tablets
- Comprehensive inventory and reporting tools
Cons
- Primarily iOS-focused with limited Android options
- Higher pricing for small-scale food trucks
- Setup and customization can require initial learning
Best For
Food truck operators who prioritize iPad mobility and inventory management over advanced truck-specific integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month for Pro plan per terminal (billed annually), plus one-time hardware costs like iPads ($500+).
SpotOn
specializedComprehensive POS with loyalty rewards, delivery integrations, and contactless payments optimized for food trucks.
Rugged handheld terminals with offline processing for uninterrupted service at events and remote locations
SpotOn is a robust POS system designed for food trucks and restaurants, offering mobile order taking, inventory management, and integrated payment processing via handheld devices and tablets. It supports offline transactions, customizable menus, and real-time reporting to handle the fast-paced demands of mobile food service. Ideal for outdoor events, it includes rugged hardware options and loyalty programs to enhance customer retention and operational efficiency.
Pros
- Seamless POS and payment integration with low processing fees
- Mobile-friendly with offline mode and rugged handheld hardware
- Strong analytics, inventory tracking, and loyalty tools
Cons
- Higher upfront hardware and subscription costs
- Moderate learning curve for full customization
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to top competitors
Best For
Food truck owners needing reliable mobile POS with integrated payments and event-ready hardware.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $135/month for software, plus hardware ($500+) and processing fees (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction).
Loyverse
otherFree mobile POS app with inventory, sales analytics, and customer loyalty tools for small food truck operations.
Offline mode with automatic cloud syncing for uninterrupted operations in low-connectivity areas
Loyverse is a free, cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses like food trucks, providing mobile point-of-sale capabilities, inventory tracking, sales reporting, and employee management. It excels in offline mode, allowing food truck operators to process orders and payments without internet connectivity, with data syncing automatically upon reconnection. The intuitive app supports customizable menus, modifiers, and hardware integrations for quick service in mobile environments.
Pros
- Free core POS with no subscription for basic use
- Robust offline functionality ideal for mobile food trucks
- User-friendly mobile app with quick setup
Cons
- Limited advanced restaurant features like kitchen display systems
- No native payment processing (relies on third-party integrations)
- Customer support is basic on the free plan
Best For
Budget-conscious food truck owners needing a simple, mobile-first POS with reliable offline performance.
Pricing
Free forever plan for core features; optional add-ons like Back Office ($5/location/month) and analytics extras.
Epos Now
enterpriseVersatile POS system with cloud reporting, e-commerce integration, and hardware options for mobile hospitality like food trucks.
Extensive app marketplace with over 100 integrations for seamless connectivity to delivery platforms and accounting tools
Epos Now is a versatile cloud-based POS system tailored for hospitality and retail, including mobile operations like food trucks, offering tools for order processing, inventory tracking, and payment handling via tablets or smartphones. It supports offline mode for uninterrupted service in areas with poor connectivity and integrates with delivery apps, accounting software, and hardware like receipt printers. While robust for scaling businesses, it may require initial setup for optimal food truck mobility.
Pros
- Strong inventory and reporting tools with real-time cloud sync
- Offline capabilities ensure sales continue without internet
- Wide integrations including Uber Eats, QuickBooks, and hardware bundles
Cons
- Higher pricing for small-scale food trucks
- Initial hardware and setup costs can be steep
- Interface may feel less streamlined for ultra-quick truck service compared to niche competitors
Best For
Food truck operators seeking a scalable POS with advanced analytics and integrations for growing into multiple locations.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month per device (Pro plan) plus one-time hardware costs from $500-$2,000; custom enterprise pricing available.
Conclusion
Choosing the best POS system for a food truck is key to efficient operations, and the reviewed tools deliver varied strengths. Square leads as the top choice, offering portable, affordable features like payment processing and offline capabilities. Toast and Revel Systems stand out as strong alternatives—Toast for its cloud-based flexibility and Revel for its iPad-centric design—ensuring a fit for diverse needs.
Take your food truck’s efficiency to the next level by trying Square, the top-ranked solution, and unlock seamless operations tailored to your business needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison